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THE need for new stadia for both Liverpool and Everton footballclubs was the key theme of the official bid for hosting World Cup 2018matches on Merseyside. The event drew footballers past andpresent, politicians and business leaders to witness the unveiling ofthe “One City, One Goal” bid, with much focus being put on thepotential regeneration benefits that a successful outcome would bringto the area.
However, the gathering at the BT ConventionCentre heard no definitive answers as to when LFC’s Stanley Parkstadium project would get under way, other than that it was dependenton a change in the global financial situation.
Similarly,while Everton FC used the Arena launch to promote the positive impactof its Destination Kirkby plan, it insisted that, contrary to somefans’ speculation, it did not know what the outcome of the publicinquiry into the plan would be.
The club’s communicationsdirector, Ian Ross, said Goodison Park, “the grand old lady of Englishfootball”, was becoming “a little tired” and that the current groundcould not provide the facilities needed.
Anfield managingdirector Christian Purslow explained that, for Liverpool FC, the“centrepiece is to deliver a world-class football ground that everyonecan be proud of, a new home for the club with a stadium of at least60,000 seats, giving the best possible match experience.”
He added that the project would begin “when contraction in the world banking market ends and recession finds its equilibrium”.
He added: “It’s a central part of the council’s regenerationstrategy for Stanley Park around Anfield. Research shows that benefitsto the local economy and community will be much greater than if theclub was expanded in situ or moved away.”
Everton’s Mr Rossadded that the club was “equally committed and determined to bringWorld Cup football to the banks of the Mersey.”
He said: “Ithink a lot of people perhaps forget that Goodison Park was regarded asEngland’s second stadium in 1966. Only Wembley held more national games.
“We’ve got fantastic supporters and they deserve fantastic facilities, and we can’t provide this at Goodison going forward.”
Headded the club was “confident that, if we get the decision we arelooking for, the new stadium would go ahead and be a perfect venue forWorld Cup football in 2018.”
Council leader Cllr WarrenBradley would not be drawn about his views on the 55,000-seater Kirkbystadium plan, to which he has been outspokenly opposed in the past.
Hetold the Daily Post: “It’s no good having a World Cup if you haven’tgot the stadiums, but both clubs have given their commitment tobuilding anew.”